I'm told that I should dump my tanks and then add a lubricant of some sort to keep the valve seals in good shape. I see commercial products available for this but hear that any vegetable oil works just as well. Any comments about what to use or not to use?

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Put some vegetable oil on a piece of glass and let it sit for a couple of days. It will get sticky and gummy and this is something you don't want for tank valves. I use plain old water and plenty of it when I flush the tanks. so as to wash everything out of the seals. No problems with 13 year old valves.

I think you'd have to use a lot of oil. Since it will float on water, it will first coat the tank walls and sensors, any remaining might attach to the seals as it drains. In 30 years I've never had a drain valve seal fail because of lack of lubrication. I have had one fail because it got paper stuck in the blade groove; lesson learned- do not close valve until tank is empty.

__________________2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA."We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution. "Abraham Lincoln"

A little silicone or dry lube on t handle slide rods is all it takes soap is a good lube if you think the blades are sticking and will help keep sensors clean but as stated before water a lot of rinsing every time you dump tanks.

This idea does not lubricate the seals, but it sure helped me. About one year after installing new dump valves, they began to get stiff when opening and closing. I thought, wonderful, I get to put new valves in again (my favorite hobby). Then I read about a simple repair on this forum.

Drill a small hole above the pull rod on the dump valve narrow plastic end (see white arrow on pic for drill hole location) and spray in silicone lubricant with plastic tube on can, plug the hole with a small sheet metal screw. The valve instantly began to work like new and continued to for a long time. When needed again, remove screw, spray silicone, put screw back in hole. Note........ do this repair with empty tanks.

The small hole is drilled parallel to the valve pull rod? Just above the rod? Where exactly does the silicone spray go? Why is this any better than spraying the rod itself and running it in and out to spread the silicone? Why plug the hole ?

The small hole is drilled parallel to the valve pull rod? yes Just above the rod? yes about half inch, see pic Where exactly does the silicone spray go? in the drilled hole into the cavity of the dump valve body Why is this any better than spraying the rod itself and running it in and out to spread the silicone? this worked great for me, i am guessing the silicone hits the slide a bit also Why plug the hole ? if a seal fails i presume waste fluid could come out the small drill hole ..... as i stated i learned of this here on iRV2 and just replicated what someone else did ..... i have been very pleased with my results

The small hole is drilled parallel to the valve pull rod? Just above the rod? Where exactly does the silicone spray go? Why is this any better than spraying the rod itself and running it in and out to spread the silicone? Why plug the hole ?

Several years ago there was a post for gray/black water valves. Drill a hole the size of a regular car grommet screw in the grommet. Using one of the small grease guns fill it with Vaseline pump it in. Do not have to do this very often.

Several years ago there was a post for gray/black water sticky valves. Drill a hole the size of a regular car alemite screw in the alemite. Using one of the small grease guns fill it with Vaseline pump it in. Do not have to do this very often. Works immediately and for a long time. Reposting due to wort word used grommet instead of ale mite.

Several years ago there was a post for gray/black water sticky valves. Drill a hole the size of a regular car alemite screw in the alemite. Using one of the small grease guns fill it with Vaseline pump it in. Do not have to do this very often. Works immediately and for a long time. Reposting due to wort word used grommet instead of ale mite.

I saw that post and did exactly that very thing to my last 3 motor homes. I have a grease gun with synthetic grease and grease them once a year. It works like a charm. I put enough grease in the first time to get enough grease in the valve body so it lubricates both the rod and gate.